2009-02-10, 12:26 PM
Hi all.
a year ago i tried to set-up GB-PVR and partially succeeded. Problem was I could not make my PC to control cable box, and the tuner I got (ADS MCE-3000) produced bad video quality using RF input, (AV video quality recording is acceptable). Another thing that through me back was free guide â it was too much hustle to deal with.
Given that ârecording PCâ was my promise to my 8 y.o. and she did not have any intensions to let it go, I ended up setting up for her DVR based on cheap licenced MCE 2002. It does what my daughter needs â SD recording of her favorite cartoons automatically, pretty stable and without any interaction from me.
As per my taste Iâd like to give another try to this great project. Iâd like to setup low-end HTPC based on a spare PC I have. All I need is an external tuner.
Here are specs for the potential HTPC:
Toshiba LCD 42â 720p (DVI input)
Low-profile Dell PC with 2.8GHz P-4 HT (800 MHz FSB)
1 GB DDR-3200 RAM
500GB SATA-1 HDD (Iâm willing to upgrade if Iâll make it work for HD playback)
GeForce 6200 low-profile card
XP SP-3
Here are my questions:
1. I can network both PCs. Where in MCE 2002 Guide stored? I want to run import guide utility on daily basis to get listings from one pc into GB-PVR PC.
2. I need external tuner with QAM capability and good video quality over RF. Given that GeForce 6200 AGP video card CAN BE a bottleneck for HD playback I might do not need HD tuner (on other hands external tuner can be transferred to more power PC somedayâ¦) Iâm thinking about HDHomeRun card, but Iâm not sure at all. As far as I understood it cannot be used in pair with cable box in even Iâll decide to subscribe to scrambled channelsâ¦. What else can you suggest?
3. also Iâm not sure if IR blaster capability to control cable box is part of the tuner or itâs something that can be purchased separately and a tuner card independent feature.
Thank you in advance,
Vlad
a year ago i tried to set-up GB-PVR and partially succeeded. Problem was I could not make my PC to control cable box, and the tuner I got (ADS MCE-3000) produced bad video quality using RF input, (AV video quality recording is acceptable). Another thing that through me back was free guide â it was too much hustle to deal with.
Given that ârecording PCâ was my promise to my 8 y.o. and she did not have any intensions to let it go, I ended up setting up for her DVR based on cheap licenced MCE 2002. It does what my daughter needs â SD recording of her favorite cartoons automatically, pretty stable and without any interaction from me.
As per my taste Iâd like to give another try to this great project. Iâd like to setup low-end HTPC based on a spare PC I have. All I need is an external tuner.
Here are specs for the potential HTPC:
Toshiba LCD 42â 720p (DVI input)
Low-profile Dell PC with 2.8GHz P-4 HT (800 MHz FSB)
1 GB DDR-3200 RAM
500GB SATA-1 HDD (Iâm willing to upgrade if Iâll make it work for HD playback)
GeForce 6200 low-profile card
XP SP-3
Here are my questions:
1. I can network both PCs. Where in MCE 2002 Guide stored? I want to run import guide utility on daily basis to get listings from one pc into GB-PVR PC.
2. I need external tuner with QAM capability and good video quality over RF. Given that GeForce 6200 AGP video card CAN BE a bottleneck for HD playback I might do not need HD tuner (on other hands external tuner can be transferred to more power PC somedayâ¦) Iâm thinking about HDHomeRun card, but Iâm not sure at all. As far as I understood it cannot be used in pair with cable box in even Iâll decide to subscribe to scrambled channelsâ¦. What else can you suggest?
3. also Iâm not sure if IR blaster capability to control cable box is part of the tuner or itâs something that can be purchased separately and a tuner card independent feature.
Thank you in advance,
Vlad
Dell 4600C (low profile), P-4, 2.4GHz with HT, 1GB DDR-400, 500GB SATA-150, XFX GeForce 6200